Contact Eric
barrett.90@osu.edu
330-533-5538
OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Eric fosters effective and cooperative relationships among students, staff, and faculty within the department. As department chair, Eric oversees and supports faculty affairs for OSU Extension and works with other department chairs and administrators to advance the vision and mission of the Department of Extension. He supports faculty development, academic leadership, and collaboration across Extension's statewide network. Eric also oversees the faculty promotion and tenure process and the A&P promotion process.
As co-director of Learning and Organizational Development (with Megan Arnold), Eric oversees the Extension onboarding and mentoring programs; professional development (e.g. leadership, supervisory skills, critical conversations); program development and evaluation (data reporting and visualization); and digital content development (e.g. video, instructional design, and e-course development) for all Extension faculty and staff.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Before joining the college leadership team, Eric served as professor and Extension educator in agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County and as an area leader. Eric's specialization is direct food/ag marketing and commercial/consumer horticulture. He has been teaching and leading OSU Extension programs since 1996. He also gained experience through a private marketing firm. Teaching is his passion. Eric regularly presents at state and national conferences, including workshops across North America. He has received several teaching awards, a local tourism award, an Ohio Fair Managers Association Award, and the OSU Extension State Achievement Award. Eric grew up on his family’s dairy and beef farm in Vincent, Ohio.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, animal sciences, The Ohio State University
Master of Science, agricultural economics, The Ohio State University